(TALLAHASSEE, F.L.) – United States Representative Byron Donalds and former United States Representative David Jolly won their party primaries Tuesday and will face off in the 2026 race for Florida governor, according to unofficial results from the Florida Division of Elections.
The governor serves a four-year term and oversees the state budget, appoints agency heads, can veto legislation, and commands the Florida National Guard, according to the Florida Constitution. Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited.
Republican primary: Donalds won 47% to state Sen. Jay Collins’ 25% and businessman James Fishback’s 10%.
Photo Credit: Concordia Summit website
Byron Donalds, 47, of Naples, has represented Florida’s 19th Congressional District since 2021, according to the U.S. House. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, in a single-parent household, Donalds graduated from Florida State University in 2002 with a B.A. in finance and marketing, according to his House biography.
Donalds served in the Florida House of Representatives, where he chaired the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, according to the Florida House. He sponsored the Hope Scholarship program and a bill allowing parents and community members to review instructional materials in schools, according to legislative records. Former Governor Rick Scott appointed Donalds to the Board of Trustees for Florida South Western State College.
In Congress, Donalds has described himself as a “conservative warrior” and served as a surrogate for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. His campaign lists priorities include the Second Amendment, school choice, “fiscal sanity,” secure borders, law and order, and limited federal government.
Donalds worked in finance, insurance, and banking in Southwest Florida before elected office, according to his biography. He lives in Naples with his wife Erika and three sons, Damon, Darin, and Mason.
Democratic primary: Jolly won 61% to Dayna Marie Foster’s 15% and state Representative Dotie Joseph’s 9%.
David Jolly, 53, of Pinellas County, represented Florida’s 13th Congressional District from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican, according to the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. He spent seven years as an independent before becoming a Democrat, according to his campaign.
Jolly is a fifth-generation Floridian and son of a minister, according to his campaign. He holds a bachelor’s from Emory University and a J.D. cum laude from George Mason, according to his campaign. He worked nearly a decade as a political analyst on NBC and MSNBC, according to his campaign.
Photo Credit: David Jolly website
Jolly’s platform focuses on homeowner’s insurance reform, expansion of primary healthcare services, and investing in community public schools.
“Everyone deserves a shot at work, wages, and wealth,” Jolly said. “Rights should be protected and dignity celebrated, regardless of the color of one’s skin, where they were born, who they love, or who they worship,” Jolly has stated on the campaign trail.
While in Congress, Jolly worked on campaign finance reform, gun violence prevention, reproductive freedom, and the environment, according to his campaign. His fight against Washington corruption was featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes.
Jolly launched his bid in June 2025 and held hundreds of town halls focused on the economy, according to his campaign. He and his wife Laura live in Pinellas County.
The race is expected to center on property insurance, education policy, abortion, and the economy. Byron Donalds and David Jolly will face off on the ballot again on November 3.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at pepper.w@lead4earth.org
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